Can it really be true? Another Monday… As I have said before and will say again, at least I still have memories of a decent beer week. I enjoyed Boom Island’s triple and found not 1, but 2 Surly beers that I will have again. Was able to have Summit’s new Unchained #10, before it is released in bottles today. So without further ado, here are this week’s memories…OH YEAH, and I will do my best NOT to go MIA this week! I have also, opened an Instagram account, search for BeerDorkRob and FOLLOW ME!!
Boom Island Brewing – Brimstone Tripel
9.5% ABV
N/A IBU
As with other Boom Island beers, I was not disappointed by this Tripel. Brimstone was very well balanced, nearly impossible to taste the alcohol, until it sneaks up on you, so be careful! Boom Island describes Brimstone this way: “Nice balance of yeast character and spice layered upon light fruit notes. Moderately dry with slight hop bitterness on the finish.” I enjoyed mine on tap, you can get it in a bottle as well, give it a try as I will order up another when given the option.
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
Boom Island Brewing – Silvius Pale Ale
5.5% ABV
N/A IBU
Enjoyed at Eli’s East in NE Minneapolis, this one left me wanting a bit more. I’m not sure why exactly, but I was expecting a bit more bitterness out of this pale. Now remember, I am not a Beer Geek, but an UNEDUCATED Beer Dork, my idea of a pale ale is Summit’s flagship, Extra Pale Ale. As with ALL beer styles, they are subjective to the tastes and interpretation of the brewer. It isn’t a BAD beer by any stretch of the imagination, as a matter of fact I will order it again as it was EXTREMELY easy to drink. Boom Island puts it this way, “Light hop bitterness melds nicely with malty biscuit and toastiness paired with light peppery spiciness. Finish is medium to dry with malt flavor returning slightly.”
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
Stone Brewing – Arrogant Bastard
7.2% ABV
N/A IBU
To be honest, I forgot to write down notes about this beer, if I remember right, I liked it. Which means I will have to have another to refresh my memory… Stone puts it this way, “At Stone Brewing, we believe that pandering to the lowest common denominator represents the height of tyranny – a virtual form of keeping the consumer barefoot and stupid. Brought forth upon an unsuspecting public in 1997, Arrogant Bastard Ale openly challenged the tyrannical overlords who were brazenly attempting to keep Americans chained in the shackles of poor taste. As the progenitor of its style, Arrogant Bastard Ale has reveled in its unprecedented and uncompromising celebration of intensity. There have been many nods to Arrogant Bastard Ale…even outright attempts to copy it… but only one can ever embody the true nature of liquid Arrogance!” May have to report back on this one, I do have my Non rating though!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
Surly Brewing – Bandwagon IPA
6.6% ABV
N/A IBU
YES, YES, YES this is a PERFECT West Coast IPA to be enjoyed with a bag of peanuts and a Twins victory! Now all we need to do is talk the Surly brass into bottling this elixir for the masses! Bandwagon is a hop forward IPA that has a nice finish that makes you want/NEED another! Surly describes it as: “Bandwagon is brewed with Pale and Crystal malts, Centennial and Chinook hops, and fermented with English Ale yeast. Bandwagon is pale gold in color, with flavors of caramelly-biscuits slathered with pineapple-orange marmalade.” I may have to start a petition drive to send to Surly to get this beer available outside the Target Field confines!!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 4 out of 4 PINTS
Summit Brewing – Unchained #10 Belgian Style Abbey Ale
8% ABV
33 IBU
I HAD NO IDEA I was to be at the brewery this weekend until Thursday morning when an e-mail came to me asking to switch my shift. I scratched my head and thought, I don’t work THIS Saturday, wrong I was. Fortunately for me, the Unchained was on tap!! This Abbey Ale has an amazing fruit smell with a copper color. The ABV is the highest in the Summit line and you know it after a few glasses. Summit puts it this way: “For Summit Unchained 10, brewer Nate Siats created a stimulating Belgian Style Abbey Ale reminiscent of Trappist beers brewed by monks. This brew has a mild malt flavor and slightly sweet and fruity notes of raisin, prune and pear. As with all our Unchained beers, it’s only available for a limited time. Santé.” I liked this beer and you should try it before it goes the way of ALL the other Unchained series!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
Summit Brewing – Oktoberfest
6.6% ABV
29 IBU
Alright, I know it is only Late July, what’s the deal with Oktoberfest already? It seems every year Oktoberfest comes a bit earlier, think of Shandy in April… This is my FAVORITE Oktoberfest on the market to date and this year’s edition carries that tradition on. “Brewed in the classic Märzen style with Northern Brewer hops from Germany. Rich, toffee malt flavors up front with a clean hop finish as crisp as the autumn air. Unfortunately, like the fall colors, this seasonal beer is gone before you know it.” – per Summit’s website. If you need to wait to enjoy this, go ahead, but remember that it is there for your enjoyment!!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
August Schell’s Brewery – HeffeWeizen
4.4% ABV
N/A IBU
Another good beer from the company in New Ulm, I don’t believe I’ve ever had this one before. This was a nice beer to have after a HOT day and to enjoy with a pizza! Schell’s describes it this way: “First brewed in 1984, Schell’s Hefeweizen is made with a blend of wheat malt and barley malts. We use an authentic wheat beer yeast culture, which gives the beer a fruity ale character dominated by a citrus-like tartness. Refreshingly light character with a higher than normal carbonation level. Straw-colored and cloudy from the unfiltered yeast left in suspension. Notes of banana and clove with a slight bready malt flavor.” I think you should give it a go!!
UNEDUCATED BEER DORK NON-RATING: 3 out of 4 PINTS
There you have it another beer week down, hoping for many more!! Have a GREAT WEEK!!
CHEERS!
